Were I (still) possessed of understanding and of contingent (unreal) existence, I should be on the bench, (giving instruction) like the Shaykhs.”
من اگر با عقل و با امکانمی ** همچو شیخان بر سر دکانمی
How the inquirer, for the second time, drew that eminent (saint) into conversation, in order that his condition might be made better known (to the inquirer).
دوم بار در سخن کشیدن سایل آن بزرگ را تا حال او معلوم تر گردد
That seeker said, “O thou mounted on the cane, pray, ride thy horse this way for one moment.”2400
گفت آن طالب که آخر یک نفس ** ای سواره بر نی این سو ران فرس
He rode towards him, crying, “Hark, say as quick as you can (what you want), for my horse is very restive and fierce-tempered.
راند سوی او که هین زوتر بگو ** کاسب من بس توسن است و تند خو
Be quick, lest he kick you: explain clearly what you are asking about.”
تا لگد بر تو نکوبد زود باش ** از چه میپرسی بیانش کن تو فاش
He (the inquirer) saw no opportunity to tell his heart's secret: he at once made an evasion and drew him into jesting talk.
او مجال راز دل گفتن ندید ** زو برون شو کرد و در لاغش کشید
He said, “I wish to marry a woman in this street: who is suitable for one like me?”
گفت میخواهم در این کوچه زنی ** کیست لایق از برای چون منی
“There are three kinds of women in the world,” said he: “two of those are a sorrow, and one is the soul's treasure.2405
گفت سه گونه زناند اندر جهان ** آن دو رنج و این یکی گنج روان
The first, when you marry her, is wholly yours; and the second is half yours and half separate (from you);
آن یکی را چون بخواهی کل تراست ** و آن دگر نیمی ترا نیمی جداست
And the third, know she is not yours at all. You have heard this. Away (with you)!—I start in a trice—
و آن سوم هیچ او ترا نبود بدان ** این شنودی دور شو رفتم روان
Lest my horse let fly a kick at you, so that you fall and never rise up (again).”
تا ترا اسبم نپراند لگد ** که بیفتی بر نخیزی تا ابد
The Shaykh rode off amongst the children, (but) the young man shouted to him once more,
شیخ راند اندر میان کودکان ** بانگ زد بار دگر او را جوان
“Come, prithee declare the exposition of this. Thou hast said that these women are of three kinds: pick (them) out.”2410
که بیا آخر بگو تفسیر این ** این زنان سه نوع گفتی بر گزین
He rode towards him and said to him, “The virgin of your choice will be wholly yours, and you will gain freedom from sorrow;
راند سوی او و گفتش بکر خاص ** کل ترا باشد ز غم یابی خلاص
And she that is half yours is the (childless) widow; and she that is nothing (to you) is the married woman with a child:
و انکه نیمی آن تو بیوه بود ** و انکه هیچست آن عیال با ولد
When she has a child by her first husband, her love and whole heart will go to that quarter.
چون ز شوی اولش کودک بود ** مهر و کل خاطرش آن سو رود
(Now) get away, lest my horse launch a kick, and the hoof of my restive horse land upon you.”
دور شو تا اسب نندازد لگد ** سم اسب توسنم بر تو رسد
The Shaykh gave a loud cry of jubilation and rode back: he again called the children to him.2415
های و هویی کرد شیخ و باز راند ** کودکان را باز سوی خویش خواند
That inquirer shouted to him once more, “Come (hither), I have one question left, O sovereign king.”
باز بانگش کرد آن سایل بیا ** یک سؤالم ماند ای شاه کیا
He rode back in this direction. “Say what it is,” he cried, “as quick as you can, for yonder child has enraptured my heart.”
باز راند این سو بگو زودتر چه بود ** که ز میدان آن بچه گویم ربود
Said the other, “O king, with such intelligence and erudition (as thou hast), what dissimulation is this? What acting is this? Oh, ’tis a marvel!
گفت ای شه با چنین عقل و ادب ** این چه شیداست این چه فعل است ای عجب
Thou transcendest the Universal Intellect in (thy power of) elucidation. Thou art a sun: how art thou hid in madness?”
تو ورای عقل کلی در بیان ** آفتابی در جنون چونی نهان
He replied, “These rascals are proposing to make me Cadi in this their city.2420
گفت این اوباش رایی میزنند ** تا در این شهر خودم قاضی کنند
I raised objections, (but) they said to me, ‘Nay, there is none so learned and accomplished as thou.
دفع میگفتم مرا گفتند نی ** نیست چون تو عالمی صاحب فنی
Whilst thou art in existence, it is unlawful and wicked that any one inferior to thee should cite Prophetic Traditions in the office of Cadi.
با وجود تو حرام است و خبیث ** که کم از تو در قضا گوید حدیث
Permission is not (given) in the Law, that we should appoint one less than thee as (our) prince and leader.’
در شریعت نیست دستوری که ما ** کمتر از تو شه کنیم و پیشوا